Apparatus for imprinting and cutting a tape or ribbon

Abstract

An apparatus for serially imprinting and cutting a tape such as an award ribbon includes a pneumatically actuated, heated imprinter and sequentially operated, pneumatically actuated cutter and trimmer. A stepping motor provides incremental movement of the ribbon and a ratchet drive mechanism coupled to the imprinter provides advancement of the foil or printing tape. The entire operation of the apparatus is under the control of a microprocessor which accepts information from the operator regarding ribbon length, imprint position and quantity and sequentially activates the various elements of the imprinting apparatus.

I claim: 
     
       1. A tape imprinting apparatus comprising, in combination: means for imprinting indicia on a tape including a printing assembly, means for providing heat to said printing assembly, a platen spaced from and parallel to said printing assembly, first means for reciprocably translating said printing assembly along an axis normal to said platen and into imprinting contact with a tape disposed on said platen;   first means for advancing the tape along a first axis including a first drive roller, a first idler roller and first means for rotating said first drive roller;   at least one pair of guide means having adjustable separation along an axis transverse to said first axis for guiding said tape along said first axis;   second means for advancing a printing foil generally along a second axis normal to said first axis including a second drive roller, a second idler roller and second means for unidirectionally rotating said second drive roller, means responsive to said imprinting means for cycling said second advancing means; and   means for cutting said tape including a first tape cutting mechanism having a first cutting pattern, a second cutting mechanism having a second cutting pattern, and means for selectively activating said first cutting mechanism or said first and said second cutting mechanisms to cut such tape according to said cutting patterns.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a sequencing means for providing operating commands to said printing means, said first advancing means and said cutting means. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said imprinting means includes a pneumatic cylinder. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first advancing means includes a stepping motor means for driving said first drive roller. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first idler roller of said first advancing means has an axis of rotation and is pivotally disposed about an axis normal to said axis of rotation. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second advancing means includes a bidirectionally translating means for driving a gear rack, a pinion engaged by said gear rack and an overrunning clutch operably interposed between said pinion and said second drive roller. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said printing assembly includes a planar mounting structure having a plurality of positioning projections disposed on one face, at least one type receiving structure having magnetic means for selectively securing said type receiving structure to said planar mounting structure. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cutting means further includes a shuttle assembly for mechanically coupling said translatable segment to said reciprocably translating means, said translating means including a pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly, and means for sensing the position of said shuttle assembly. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for supplying a substantially continuous length of tape, means for supplying a substantially continuous length of foil and means for sensing the absence of said tape and said foil and for inhibiting operation of said apparatus in the absence of either said tape or said foil. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second advancing means further includes means for adjusting the angular rotation of said second drive roller. 
     
     
       11. The imprinting apparatus of claim 1 wherein said imprinting means and said cutting means includes position sensing means for providing signals indicating at least two distinct positions of said printing assembly and said cutting mechanism, respectively. 
     
     
       12. A ribbon or tape imprinting apparatus comprising, in combination: at least two pairs of adjustable guide means for providing a first path for a tape along a first axis;   means for imprinting indicia on a tape including a printing assembly, a platen spaced from and parallel to said printing assembly, means for reciprocably translating said printing assembly along an axis normal to the plane of said platen and means for heating said printing assembly;   first means for advancing the tape along said first axis including a first drive roller, a first friction roller and first means to rotate said first drive roller;   second means for advancing a printing foil generally along a second path normal to said first axis including a second drive roller, a second friction roller, second means for unidirectionally rotating said second drive roller means to adjust the angular rotation of said second drive roller and means responsive to the position of said printing assembly for cycling said second advancing means;   first means for reciprocably translating said printing assembly into imprinting contact with a tape disposed on said platen, control means for cycling said second advancing means; and   means for cutting such tape including a first tape cutting mechanism having a first cutting pattern, a second tape cutting mechanism having a second cutting pattern and means for selectively activating said first cutting mechanism or said first and said second cutting mechanisms to cut such tape according to said cutting patterns.   
     
     
       13. The imprinting apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first advancing means includes a stepping motor means for driving said first drive roller. 
     
     
       14. The imprinting apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second advancing means includes a gear rack, a bidirectionally translating means for driving said gear rack bidirectionally, a pinion engaged by said gear rack and an overrunning clutch operably interposed between said pinion and said drive roller. 
     
     
       15. The imprinting apparatus of claim 12 further including a supply of tape and means for sensing the presence of said tape and providing a signal indicating such presence of said tape. 
     
     
       16. The imprinting apparatus of claim 12 further including a supply of foil and means for sensing the supply of foil and providing a signal indicating such presence of said foil. 
     
     
       17. The imprinting apparatus of claim 12 wherein said cutting means further includes a shuttle assembly for mechanically coupling said first cutting mechanism to said translating means and means for sensing the position of said shuttle assembly and providing a signal indicating such position of said shuttle assembly to said sequencing means. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said printing assembly includes a planar mounting structure having a plurality of positioning projections disposed on one face, at least one type receiving structure having magnetic means for selectively securing said type receiving structure to said planar mounting structure. 
     
     
       19. The imprinting apparatus of claim 12 wherein said imprinting means and said cutting means includes position sensing means for providing signals indicating at least two distinct positions of said printing assembly and said cutting mechanism, respectively.